Zuri Benitez is a Haitian-Dominican teenager living in Bushwick, Brooklyn. She loves the “poetry� of her neighborhood, and worries when the abandoned Zuri Benitez is a Haitian-Dominican teenager living in Bushwick, Brooklyn. She loves the “poetry� of her neighborhood, and worries when the abandoned house across the street becomes a mini-mansion, sticking out “like a newly polished pair of Jordans thrown in with a bunch of well-worn knockoffs (2)�. Gentrification is happening all over Brooklyn, with rich white families are moving in and vowing to “clean up� the neighborhood. The new neighbors are the wealthy African-American family, and the two son, Darius and Ainsley Darcy, are exceptionally charming and handsome. Zuri’s older sister immediately connects with Ainsley, but Zuri remains weary. She doesn’t think her neighborhood needs to change - and she doesn’t want the Darcy’s to change her family, either. When Ainsley breaks up with her sister, Zuri is even more wary, but finds herself connecting more and more with Darius. But giving Darius a chance means accepting that things will change - and Zuri is not ready to give up her neighborhood, independence, and family home just yet. While this book may be a contemporary retelling of Pride and Prejudice, Zoboi grounds the story with Zuri’s fierce connection to her neighborhood and brings a voice to the real life issues that many teen people of color are currently experiencing in their neighborhoods. By exploring gentrification, racism and maintaining cultural heritage, Zoboi creates a rich and timely story. ...more
Pretty gutted that the series is over. This last book was one of the more satisfying series ends I've ever read. What I love most about this series (bPretty gutted that the series is over. This last book was one of the more satisfying series ends I've ever read. What I love most about this series (besides the incredible tension between Arin and Kestrel) is Rutkowski's writing; she has a true talent and the world building, characters, dialogue - all so well done!
I feel a little empty with this series end. But am overall so very happy with the conclusion!...more
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